2007-2008 - Suzuki Program

Transcription

May 2008
Volume 3, Issue 9
The Denison Suzuki Review
a publication of the Denison University Suzuki Program
Goodwill
Ambassadors
Tour
May 3, 2008
Denison University Suzuki Students Win
Spelling Bees
Max Rosenfeld, celebrating his victory at the
2007 Licking County Spelling Bee,
th
will represent the 6 grade in this year’s
Licking County Spelling Bee on May 15.
Margo MacDonald will also be representing
th
the 6 grade at the Bee.
th
Christopher Carlson also won the 4 grade Bee
at Granville Intermediate School and goes forth to
the County Bee as their representative.
Max is a violin student of Jim Van Reeth,
Christopher is a violin student of Dr. Andy Carlson,
and Margo MacDonald is a piano student of
Caryl Palmer.
Robotics, Legos, and Burton Hall
Linda Habig
and Catherine Gross
perform for the residents at
Kendal at Granville.
Rebecca White (below) leads
the Pretwinkle Class
in the afternoon performance
at the Inn at
Sharonbrooke
by Peter Lepper
“Hello, folks, and welcome to DJ Rantoni’s talk show!
Today we have with us a rather talented teen by the
name of Peter Lepper!” The DJ was rather short and
stocky, with close-cropped black hair and mischievous
green eyes. No sooner had he finished his sentence
than a gale of simulated applause erupted in the
studio, causing the very tall and wiry teenager sitting
opposite the DJ to glance around in search of the
speakers.
“So, Peter, I hear you were part of a robotics team
this last fall?” The DJ asked, beaming a downright
unnatural smile.
“Why, yes, I was.” Peter said, fidgeting a little as
the sound of gears whirring and clicking hummed
through the studio.
“I’m sure that must’ve been exciting, but that’s not
exactly what we’re here to talk about. Are the rumors
correct that you built a Lego model of Denison
University’s Burton Hall for your team’s Research
project?”
Nodding and adjusting his position in the bare,
steel folding chair, Peter said “Yep, I did. I’ve got-…”
He broke off mid-sentence, holding a sheaf of pictures
in the air, as he realized he was on radio, not
television. “…Several tips on Lego building for all you
hopefuls out there.”
“And I’m sure they would be very useful,” the DJ
said, in a voice that was altogether too cheerful for a
human to have. “So, how big was this model?”
“Oh, about yea big by-… I mean, somewhere in
the region of a foot wide, maybe two to three feet
long and a foot and a half high.” Peter said.
“And on that note, we go to a commercial
break!” The DJ said, and punched a button on
his desk.
A cheerful female voice said “For all your
robotics, food and sports equipment needs, it’s
the Nefooglewitz corporation!” “How did-… what
the-… they stole my name!” Peter said, sitting
bolt-upright in his chair and staring at the speaker
as if it was radioactive. “Holy flying pop-tarts, I’m
going to sue!”
“And we’re back!” The DJ said, taking no
notice whatsoever of Peter’s outburst.
continued on page 3…
Page 2 of 4
Students Participate in Piano Guild
by Caryl Palmer
Olivia Rollen performs at
Kendal at Granville
on the morning stop of the
Goodwill Ambassadors Tour.
Caryl Palmer’s students
performed in Newark
on April 25, 2008
and included
Gavin George,
Connor Koester,
MacKenzie Koester,
Madison Koester,
Margo MacDonald,
Charlotte Purnode,
Lienne Pyzik,
Patricia Tully,
and Hannah Walker.
Every year, students perform in the
National Piano Playing Auditions held in
Columbus at Graves Piano and Organ and
also St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Newark.
These students strive for honors in the
categories of Pledge, Local, District,
Hobbyist, Duet, Ensemble, State, National,
or International. The American College of
Musicians evaluates the students’
performances based upon their presentation
of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and
Modern works.
Each student will perform in the
presence of a professional adjudicator
chosen by the national organization who will
examine their repertoire. Students can also
choose to perform scales, chords,
arpeggios, ear training, transposition,
improvisation, or sight reading. Each
entrant receives a gold, silver, or bronze
embossed pin, a report card, and a year’s
membership in the National Fraternity of
Student Musicians.
Karen Goodel and Marion Homan are
members of the adult flute group.
Pianists perform in Spring Festival
by Iris Pyzik
Julie Dickson and Eli Rollen
enjoy the music.
Kate Guiney and Penny
Hunter perform for the
residents at Kendal at
Granville.
The Ohio Federation of Music Clubs
(OFMC) is an affiliate of the National
Federation of Music Clubs, whose aim is to
promote music in American life. OFMC
encourages the formation of junior and senior
music clubs to support interaction among
musicians.
The most visible junior event is the Spring
Festival, held at the Ohio State University,
which offers judging in various instruments
and event classes and at all levels of
expertise. On March 15, the following
students of Caryl Palmer performed for the
OFMC judges: Gavin George, Julianne
Kalec, Conner Koester, Madison Koester,
Mackenzie Koester, Margo MacDonald,
Charlotte Purnode, John Purnode, Lienne
Pyzik, and Hannah Walker.
Participants of all ages accumulate points
toward trophy cups at 15 point intervals,
earning five point per year in most events.
This year, there were over 400 participants in
piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, vocal, and
theory events. In most events, participants
must play one required piece from those
listed in the festival bulletin and one piece of
their choice. Suzuki students are not
designated separately, but can often be
identified by their chosen pieces!
OFMC also offers other performance and
competitive opportunities for musicians and
some of these have monetary or scholarship
awards. These are often restricted to
outstanding festival participants.
The end of the festival day is celebrated
with a recital by participants who have received
their first three superior ratings in the three
previous year and by graduating seniors. The
event concludes with the presentation of
trophies, making it a scramble for the staff to
get all of the scores recorded and determine
who will receive the trophies. Trophy winners
and recipients of superior and excellent scores
are called to the stage at the end.
The festival is supported by an event fee
and by a large number of volunteers. There is
always a need for more!
Iris Pyzik is the local volunteer chairman of the
Ohio Federation of Music Clubs. She is also
the proud Suzuki mom of pianist and violist
Lienne Pyzik.
Page 3 of 4
Kaitlin Moore’s cello group class at Kendal.
The combined violin group classes playing for the
residents at the Inn at Sharonbrooke.
Robotics, Legos, and Burton Hall
by Peter Lepper
continued from page 1…
Photos
courtesy
of
Lisa
Kelleher
and
Carrie
Mihalick
Merrick Kasper performs at
Kendal accompanied by her
sister, Madison.
Henry Dantzer
“So, Peter, how did you decide to build Burton Hall?”
Peter took a full second to recover from his shock, then said “Well,
for the research project, our team - all the teams in the competition had to do an energy audit on a building in our community, and suggest
ways to improve it, energy-wise. We mulled it about for a while, finally
settling on Burton Hall because I took music lessons there, and one of
my team members likes to claim it was named after him.”
A storm of simulated laughter followed this, and the DJ said “Well,
that’s very interesting. So, how did your team do this last year?”
With a grimace, Peter simply said “Depressingly.”
This aroused a chorus of “Awww”s through the speaker, and the DJ
said “How so?”
Peter reached up and massaged the bridge of his nose as he stirred
up apparently unpleasant memories, then said “Well, there were some
glitches, human and robot-related both, but we had fun anyway.”
This provoked more electronic groans, then a burst of applause, and
the DJ said “That‘s what I like to hear! Positive attitude! And now, it’s
time for another commercial break!” Ignoring a “What the?” gesture from
Peter, the DJ flipped a switch on the control panel in front of him,
triggering another bland, predictable advertisement.
Afterwards, he said “Well, we’ve only got another couple minutes left.
How long did it take to build the model, and how did you accomplish it?”
Peter was getting uncomfortable in the steel chair, and fidgeted a
little before saying “Well, it took a long time - several months - to build,
and I initially designed it in Lego Digital Designer before using that as a
reference to build the actual thing.”
“Cool.” The DJ said, pushing a button that flung into the room the
sound of plastic clicking together. “Any closing remarks you’d like to
make?”
Peter nodded, and said “If anyone would like to see the model, it will
be on display over the summer in Jim Van Reeth’s office, in the very
building it’s modeled after!”
Beaming a downright unnatural grin that made Peter wonder if there
actually were video cameras here - why else would anyone look so
artificially happy? - the DJ said “Excellent! I’ll be sure to take a look at
it!” Flipping a switch that blared a trumpet fanfare, he said “And that’s
all for tonight on DJ Rantoni’s talk show!”
a publication of the
Denison University
Suzuki Program
Linda Habig leading and Caryl Palmer
accompanying the flute ensemble.
Our Mission…
…to create a
positive musical
learning partnership
among
faculty, students,
and their
parents/practice
partners
by following
the philosophical
principles and
educational
methods
developed
by
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
so that children
can grow into
loving
and
respectful
individuals
who will have
a positive effect
on their world.
For more information
about our program,
please contact:
Jim Van Reeth,
Program Director
Phone:
(740) 975-4644
E-Mail:
[email protected]
Maryfrances Kirsh leading the
attentive violin group.
Playing for a Cause
by Patch Wetzel
The Denison University Suzuki Program Violin Ensemble has been asked to perform at
Johnstown’s 1st ever Relay for Life in a play-down style concert combining forces with students
from the studio of Johnstown Suzuki violin teacher, Carol Thompson and Encore Music Studios
in Westerville. The performance, held at the Johnstown HS Track, will start at 10:00 a.m. on
Saturday, July 19 and will last about one hour. Your private lesson teacher will ask if you are able
to participate and will pass along more details about the event as they become available.
What is Relay for Life?
Contrary to its moniker, Relay for Life is not a race. Participants can either help with the planning,
walk (or run) around the track and/or collect funds or pledges and or just come and hang around
for a 24-hr Party with A Purpose! The purpose is to Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back.
Relay for Life is the signature fundraising event for The American Cancer Society for Research,
Education, Advocacy Programs and Patient Services locally. These events typically last 24hrs to
commemorate a day in the life of a cancer patient.
It starts with a Survivor’s Ceremony as our survivors are the testament that our work has and
serves a purpose. They bring us HOPE. At dusk, we will have a remembrance or Luminaria
Ceremony where we can honor and remember our loved ones lost to cancer but who are never
forgotten. As night falls, relayers will continue walking around the track as a tribute to our cancer
patients whose long hours of treatment and recuperation seem endless. As the sun rises, it
signifies renewed hope.
All throughout the event, we will have activities planned for everyone: games, entertainment, DJ,
karaoke, a giant video screen for games (Guitar Hero, etc) and weather permitting, we will have
a tethered balloon ride on Saturday sponsored by local ReMax realtors.
This years’ theme is “Under the Purple Big Top: Purple Carnival” so we will have a carnival
atmosphere, complete with games, concessions and activities!
If you or someone you know has been touched by cancer, we need your help and support.
How can you participate?
Who do you want to honor, remember and celebrate? The Survivorship Committee is looking for
survivors to celebrate at our event. Who is a survivor? Anyone who has ever been told “You have
cancer” and is still with us. We will treat you to a special dinner on Friday, July 18 where you will
meet, dine and network with other survivors for an empowering and memorable event. You will
then be taken to the High School track where you will be the guest of honor and you will kick off
the Relay.
At the Luminaria Ceremony, everyone will be given a chance to honor and remember your loved
ones lost to cancer. We will light our torches in remembrance and then we will continue with the
battle to fight back by staying and participating in all the other fun relay events.
We are looking for passionate, organized and empowered people who will be willing to support
this effort. If you have a talent to sing, dance and perform, we are looking for stage acts for
entertainment purposes. If you want to form a team and collect pledges and fundraise, we need
you too! There’s something for everyone at this relay event.
For more information, please contact me at (740) 966-5406 or [email protected]
April 2008
Volume 3, Issue 8
Goodwill
Ambassadors
Tour
Music: The International Language
by Amy Delano
Saturday, May 3
Cellists, Pianists,
and Flutists
perform for
Kendal at Granville
residents
at 10:30 a.m.
Violinists
perform for
The Inn at
Sharonbrooke
residents
at 1:30 p.m.
Suvi, Mrs. Kirsh, and Amy
When Katri called and said she was coming to our
town, we were very excited. We hadn't seen her for five
years because she lives in Finland. She was bringing her
husband, Ollie, and her daughter, Suvi.
Suvi is my same age (9 years old) and plays violin.
She was able to practice with me and we were somehow
able to communicate, even though she didn't speak any
English. Suvi and I became fast friends. I knew Suvi
could understand me because Suvi would say something
like, "Oh", or "Uh-huh". Sometimes she just nodded her
head.
She gave me a book of Finnish folk songs. We
practiced them together and had fun. We had a little
concert where we played some of the songs for our
families. We enjoyed playing together.
Suvi played violin very well. She borrowed a
violin that she could play while she was here.
Suvi was able to come with me to my piano
lesson. We played some of the Finnish folk
songs for Mrs. Kirsh. She taught me to sing a
song in Finnish too.
It was interesting learning how to
communicate with her without words! She is
going to spend a summer with me someday. I
can't wait!
Amy and Suvi in concert at home
Goodwill
Ambassadors Tour:
Taking Our Music on the Road
Each year, we take our students to area assisted
living facilities to perform for the residents.
Red performance shirt
Black pants or skirt
Black shoes and socks
Dr. Carlson and the Herrick Hall Group
Program Recital:
• May 4 •
Sunday
3 p.m.
Burke Recital Hall
Last spring, the strings went to Kendal at Granville
while the flutes and pianists were at the Inn at
Sharonbrooke. This past December, fearless parents
brought their musicians to Kendal at Granville while the
snow fell outside. Performers relied on their review
pieces to pull off a very impromptu and fun concert.
On May 3, students will be performing at both Kendal
at Granville and The Inn at Sharonbrooke. Hopefully
the weather will cooperate and snow won’t be an issue!
Kaitlin Moore’s cello group
Page 2 of 3
Summer Lessons
I like to swim,
but there are
some days
I just don’t feel
much like doing it
--but I do it anyway!
I know it’s good
for me
and I promised myself
I’d do it every day,
and I like to keep
my promises.
That’s one
of my disciplines.
And it’s a good feeling
after you’ve tried
and done
something well.
Inside you think,
“I’ve kept at this
and I’ve really learned it
–not by magic,
but by my own work.”
--Fred Rogers
“Do your practicing.”
“In many cases,
I wonder
if this poor kind
of practicing
is going on.
There are those
who think that
this constant nagging
is education.
This method
can be called the
“How Not to
Develop Ability”
method.”
--Shinichi Suzuki
You will be getting or you may have already gotten a
summer lesson sign-up form from your teacher. You
may choose the lessons you wish to take and the
billing office will send you a statement charging you
for just those lessons plus a $10 program fee.
Please turn this form back in to your teacher as soon
as possible. Thanks! Have a great summer!
Flute Notes:
Summertime: Beautiful flowers,
Thick, Green Grass,
and Gorgeous Flute Tones
by Linda Habig
Just think about summer, and how rich, luxurious and comfortable a warm July day
and evening are! A sunny day in July wraps us in well-being and happiness with its
warmth and brightness, with summer’s leafy green trees, succulent vegetables,
and birds and flowers of every color. We want to wallow in it, and we want days
like that to never end.
Isn’t this description of a summer day also just what we want our flutes to sound
like? Rich, luxurious, succulent, multi-colored? And happy, never-ending,
beautiful? All of our Denison Suzuki flutists work hard to create a beautiful sound,
and we are all trying to continually improve our flute sound. In this summer’s
lessons, we’ll start a special approach to creating an ever more beautiful flute tone,
making this the “Summer of Sound” in the flute studio.
Each student will select one song from their repertoire which will be their “summer
sound song”. The student will play that song every day, and in every lesson (in
addition to review pieces and new songs). And we’ll work together on creating the
most beautiful tone possible on that “summer sound song”. Over the summer, the
tone and musical expression will get better and better; just like the flowers and
vegetables growing, ripening, and blooming through June, July, and August. So by
September, the “summer sound song” will sound like a huge juicy ripe tomato! It
will be bursting with warmth like a day with 14 hours of sunshine, and will have as
many different colors as a hummingbird! Best of all, the “summer sound” will stay
with each of us forever, and we can use it on all of our songs through the long cold
winter.
Piano Group:
Denison University
Suzuki Program
Our Mission…
…to create a
positive musical
among
faculty, students,
and their
parents/practice
partners
by following
the philosophical
principles and
educational
methods
developed
by
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
so that children
can grow into
loving
and
respectful
individuals
who will have
a positive effect
on their world.
Ecossaise and Twinkle
Over and Over and Over
by Maryfrances Kirsh
We’re supposed to review our pieces and keep them “performance ready”. It
takes focused repetition to remember so many pieces of music so well. This idea
was the focus of my piano groups this semester.
The Book 1 group reviewed a Twinkle and its corresponding technique each
week. Variation A had its staccato, Variation B had beautiful rolls, those repeated
notes in Variation C were legato, and Twinkle Theme had a roll on every single
note. What an accomplishment! We plan on celebrating our efforts with a Twinkle
Recital at our last group on April 19.
We tossed in a little silliness, too. The students walked around the piano while I
played various pieces in Book 1. When I changed the tempo, they matched it with
their steps. If I played forte or piano, the students walked really tall or crouched
down low. For even more added excitement, we had one student play Twinkle
Theme and then we added students one by one. We ended up with seven
students playing at one time!
The Book 2 class reviewed Ecossaise all semester. Each group class ended
with an assignment to polish a technical point in the piece. They worked on
“Imbalance” (my term for making the accompaniment softer than the melody),
keeping their fingers in between the black keys, rolls to make longer notes last
longer, and playing repeated phrases more softly.
We enjoyed being “bad” audience members by talking and moving around
during performances. We probably took the “good” audience practice to the
extreme by moving to new seats every single time we heard applause.
The Book 2 group will celebrate its success this semester by ending with an
Ecossaise recital, where each student will play his or her Ecossaise at its
“performance ready” level.
I think we were all surprised at the number of things we could find to focus on in
just one piece of music for a whole semester. Now we can take these ideas and
use them on other review pieces.
about our program,
please contact:
Jim Van Reeth,
Program Director
Phone:
(740) 975-4644
E-Mail:
[email protected]
Mrs. Kirsh’s group class got to see a harpsichord up close.
From left and front to back:
Luke Dickson,
Rick Duffus and Amy Delano,
Catherine Segreto, Lucy Dickson, Henry Dantzer, and Molly Weigand
Matthew Weigand and Kevin Delano
March 2008
Volume 3, Issue 7
Suzuki Talent
Education
Day
Saturday, April 5
“Talent Education
is education
toward life.”
--Shinichi Suzuki
There will be an
informative meeting on
Saturday,
April 5, 2008
9:15 a.m. -11 a.m.
in the
Burke Hall of Music
and Arts
Rehearsal Room
Suzuki Cellists Up Close with Yo Yo Ma
by Daniel Gibson and Barbara Fultner
photos by Abram Kaplan
YoYo Ma and his friends were very generous with their
time at Denison. The Friday evening Talk and Play
session was an excellent opportunity for Denison
students, community members and Suzuki cello
students to interact closely with the artists. The
juxtaposition of the musical pieces with commentary
and anecdotes was well received by the audience. Mr.
Ma's back and forth with the audience really drew the
participants into the musical interludes. YoYo Ma's
love of music, learning and life came through during
this informal, intimate session.
"I think it was great to get to see
him
and get to talk to him some,"
!
said Daniel Gibson, 9 year old
Suzuki cello student.
"It was wonderful how we got to
sit so close; I could see a lot
more. Look what he's doing with
his bow -- he moves with the
music.
“I also thought it was interesting
that he said, ‘Everyone is a
student all of the time.’ "
for those
interested in
learning about
Nicholas Cords and Yo Yo Ma
Suzuki Talent Education
Adrian Fultner-Maskit, 5 year old
Suzuki cello student, had a fabulous
experience at the concert. He was
moving with the music and
applauding enthusiastically at the
end. He enjoyed his very first
encore performance (even though
during the last part of the program,
he was wondering when it would be
over). This and three other concerts
his parents have taken him to in
recent weeks have clearly inspired
his practice. Well, that and being
able to play Mississippi Hot Dog all
the way through!
and observing the
Denison University
Suzuki Program
Group Classes
Please contact:
Jim Van Reeth
(740) 975-4644
[email protected]
Daniel Sage Kaplan-Goland, Daniel Gibson,
and Colin Jacobson
Program Recitals:
• March 16•
• May 4 •
Sundays
3 p.m.
Burke Recital Hall
Each student
is invited to perform
in at least one
program recital
per academic year.
Space is limited,
so please speak
with your teacher
about this opportunity.
Page 2 of 4
Tuning Workshop 2008
On Saturday, February 9, parents and students were treated to the second annual
tuning workshop led by Rebecca White. Armed with electronic tuners and violins
loaned by the Loft Violin Shop, practice partners and older students learned from
Mrs. White how to keep their violins in tune on a daily basis.
“The thing that stands out to me is how quickly the parents and students caught on
once they had just a few tools in their hands. The tuner took away the mystery of
the process and gave them the confidence to do it themselves.”
--Rebecca White, workshop leader
“As a relatively new violin practice partner, I went into the workshop still feeling
intimidated by a violin--nervous that I would break the violin or a string while tuning
it. Mrs. White was really helpful during the workshop and explained everything at a
level that I could understand. Not only did I become more confident in handling a
violin, but now I feel comfortable tuning it. The workshop was fun, and I'm so glad I
went!”
–Julie Hessenauer Dickson, parent
“I enjoyed the tuning workshop very much. For one thing, obviously, I learned to
tune, and I greatly appreciated that. Specifically, I learned how to tune not only
with fine tuners, but with the pegs also. I’m very happy with this skill because,
before, I had no idea how to do it. I also used to be worried about a string popping
off and hitting my eye, but now I know that won’t happen. Before participating in
the workshop, it was a production to re-tune my violin after it bumped into
something, for instance. Now I know exactly what to do. The tuning workshop was
a great experience. I’m glad I did it.
--Veronica Dow, student
Listening on
the Road
Reece McQuinn
can listen to
Perpetual Motion
nine times
on the way to school
in the morning.
Kalki Aseged
can listen to
Gavotte from “Mignon”
thirteen times
on the way to school
in the morning.
How many times can you
listen to your
working piece
on the way to school?
[email protected]
Fun Practicing
by Kaitlin Moore
As we get ready for summer institutes, reviewing our pieces continues to be a top
priority. As a teacher, I am always on the lookout for new ways to practice to make
practice enjoyable for the student and the practice partner. One way to make practicing
fun is to make a note card for each piece that the child is able to play. The child can
draw a picture on the card as well, or if you like, a computer image could be pasted on
the card. The cards can be kept in a plastic bag and when it is time to practice, the
cards are taken out. The child can then put the cards face down and choose two or
three for a warm up or review piece. I have also found that rolling a dice for repetitions,
age, or number of stairs in your house is a great way to play a practice point more than
once. Some of the students and parents make tally charts of beautiful notes, phrases,
and pieces. Once a chart is finished, a reward might be choosing pieces to play on a
day of practice, or going to a community concert.
I usually make practice cards myself, with illustrations. However, my students continue
to tell me that my monkey looks like a bear, or that my ski jumps really don’t look like
skiing. For this reason, I chose to just make a set on the computer. These cards are
easy to make and will hopefully add another choice to fun practicing!
M
3
March-Music-Madness
Saturday, March 15
Bringing together
violinists from
Suzuki Music
Columbus
Pickerington
Suzuki Strings
and the
Denison University
Suzuki Program
for one fun-filled
morning of
Music, Madness, and
Mizza Pizza
Page 3 of 4
Go Flute at an Institute!
by Linda Habig
Of the dozen or so Suzuki Institutes
offering flute this summer around the
country, there are 2 with which I am
personally familiar and which would be
excellent choices for any of the Denison
Suzuki flutists for summer 2008.
Just one day's drive from Columbus is
the "Eastern Tennessee State
University Suzuki Flute Institute
International", to be held June 22-27,
2008 in Johnson City, Tenn. This
Institute draws outstanding faculty and
nationally-known performers, all for the
benefit of flute students as young
as 5, and ranging up through high
school age. Summer 2008 will include
sessions for Flute Book 1 and 2
students, as well as more advanced
players. Typically there are about 20 35 registered flutists who, with their
families enjoy the campus atmosphere,
wonderful fluting, and enrichment and
recreational activities.
A bit further away, nestled high in the
Berkshire Mountains of
Massachussetts, is the "Suzuki in the
Berkshires" Institute, to be held July
27 - August 1, in Williamstown, Mass.
on the campus of the gorgeous and
historic Williams College. Faculty are
nationally known and first-rate in
flute education and performance. This
all-flute institute is small, with
usually about 20 students of all ages
registered, ranging from Book 1 upward
through intermediate flutists of early
high school age. The atmosphere at
this Institute is very warm, familyoriented, cozy and friendly. Everyone
stays in a lovely historic dormitory, and
eats fantastic meals together in a
beautiful old dining room. Recreational
activities on the campus and in the
nearby surrounding mountainous
countryside are part of the experience.
Both of these Institutes also offer Suzuki
teacher training in Books 1, 2, and
higher, and thus both draw a substantial
group of teacher-trainees who play flute
with and interact extensively with
students attending. Either one would be
a wonderful experience for any of our
Denison flutists and their family. Ask
Linda for more information about these
and the many other institutes available.
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Group Classes
10:10 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
Mini Concert & Play-in
11:10 a.m. - ????
Pizza at Creno’s Pizza
"I recommend
any institute
that will fit
into your busy
summer schedule."
--Jim Van Reeth
Please email
Jim Van Reeth
(subject line “Creno’s”)
ASAP
if you plan to eat lunch.
Seating is limited.
[email protected]
“One of my students
is considering
an Institute
in Kingston, Ontario
since his grandparents
live there.”
--Robin Brown
A complete list of Institutes may be found at
www.suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes
Suzuki Music Columbus Summer Institute
Denison University
Suzuki Program
Our Mission…
…to create a
positive musical
among
faculty, students,
and their
parents/practice
partners
by following
the philosophical
principles and
educational
methods
developed
by
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
so that children
can grow into
loving
and
respectful
individuals
who will have
a positive effect
on their world.
about our program,
please contact:
Jim Van Reeth,
Program Director
Phone:
(740) 975-4644
E-Mail:
[email protected]
I am a big fan of the Suzuki Institute that is held each year in Columbus. From a
teacher’s perspective, it has been a great way for me to take teacher training
locally from really outstanding trainers without having to pay for travel. As a parent,
I’ve felt fortunate that my kids have had wonderful experiences with great teachers
and have gotten to know other students in a safe and loving environment.
This year, the Suzuki Music Columbus Institute moves to its new location at
Otterbein College. Otterbein is in the old part of Westerville surrounded by old
homes and shops. Graeters, Grinders, and Schneiders Bakery are all within
walking distance. !
The Institute begins with “Review Quest” in the afternoon on Monday, June 16 and
ends with the orchestra, piano, and class concerts on Saturday morning, June 21.
Review Quest is a time when students go around to stations where they meet their
teachers and play review pieces to earn tickets. Those tickets are redeemed for
prizes at the registration table. At the first “Review Quest”, I was given lots of
tickets to hand out to students, but I gave out too many and my station was way too
popular. I wondered why violin and cello students were also coming to play at my
piano station! The other piano teachers had a lot of fun at the teachers meeting
complaining that because of me, no one wanted to play for them. Now they don’t
give me as many tickets!
The Welcome Concert features advanced students who have been selected from
those who submitted a video audition tape. This is usually an outstanding concert
and one you don’t want to miss. The day ends with a barbeque and concert by The
Courtyard Kings jazz duo.
Tuesday through Friday are days filled with master classes, group classes,
enrichment classes with concerts sprinkled throughout. Students can perform on
these concerts by filling out the solo recital portion of the registration form.
The enrichment classes are optional and extra, but are very fun and popular with
kids and parents alike. Ching-chu Hu, assistant professor of composition at
Denison, teaches an outstanding class that gives insight into creating music.
Everyone gets involved in the class composition –even the parents! I’ll be teaching
“Party Piano” for those who have always wanted to learn “Chopsticks”, “Heart and
Soul”, and “Happy Birthday”. We end the week with a birthday party complete with
cake and party favors! There is also “Dueling Pianos”, a fiddling class, and a jazz
improvisation class for string players. I’m most excited about the handbell class
that is new this year. What a great way to practice music reading skills!
The cost of the Institute is about $400 per student. This does not include meals,
special events, or enrichment classes. There is a unique, abbreviated program for
pretwinklers for $300. Having done this with my family for 10 years, I think the
benefits of this experience make the cost worth every penny.
You can find the brochure and registration forms for the Institute at
www.suzukimusiccolumbus.org. The early bird deadline is April 15.
I hope to see you there!
The Denison University Suzuki Program Website
contains the current group and event schedule as well as other helpful information.
If you have any comments or suggestions about the website,
please email Mary Hawkins at [email protected]
www.denison.edu/suzuki
February 2008
Volume œ
3, Issue 6
Listening
Challenge
Catherine found out that
she could listen to
“A Short Story”
(from piano book 2)
10 times
between her house
and her school.
How many times
can you listen to
your working piece
between your house
and school?
Email your answer
and your picture to:
[email protected]
Spring 2008
Program Recitals:
•February 10•
March 16•
•May 4•
Sundays
3 p.m.
Burke Recital Hall
Each student is invited
to perform in at least
one program recital
per academic year.
Space is limited,
so please speak
with your teacher
Suzuki Students Attend Fiddle Workshop
by Robin Brown
51 violin, cello, and viola students from the Denison University Suzuki Program, Suzuki
Music Columbus, and the private studio of Rebecca White attended a fiddle workshop
January 26 and February 1, 2008 led by Dr. Andy Carlson.
The first order of
business was to
answer the question,
“What is the
difference between a
violin and a fiddle?”
Absolutely nothing!
“Fiddle” is just a
nickname for the
violin and fiddling is
just one of the ways
to play the violin.
Participants learned
the fiddle techniques
of hollering, stomping,
shuffling, and ice
cream scooping.
Dr. Carlson explained that Scottish and Irish fiddlers brought fiddle tunes over to the
United States and Canada. These tunes evolved and took on a different sound,
incorporating double stops (when two strings are played at once, sometimes sounding
like a bagpipe), slides, and shuffles. Dr. Carlson demonstrated this by playing a Scottish
tune, Miss McLeod’s Reel, and then the same song but renamed “Have You Ever Seen
the Devil, Uncle Joe?” as played by Appalachian fiddlers. Then he and Nellie Schrantz, a
Denison University student, played a beautiful fiddle tune together, after which Nellie step
danced with tap shoes on to Dr. Carlson’s playing.
The Herrick Hall
Ensemble
featuring
Dr. Andy Carlson,
instructor,
Maryanne Kirsh,
Caleb Brooks,
Anna Rosenfeld,
Alex Stanislav,
Tyler Otterstedt,
Peter Lepper,
Jim Van Reeth,
and Richard Kirsh,
was just one of the
opening acts at the
Bluegrass Festival
concert Friday night.
More from the Fiddle Workshop
Photos courtesy of Diane Kohut and Mike Brooks
The remaining
fiddle workshop
participants
joined the
Herrick Hall
Ensemble in
playing two
widely known
Southern
fiddle tunes,
“Old Joe Clark”
and
“Bile ‘Em
Cabbage
Down”
Chorus
Bile 'em cabbage down, down,
Bake 'em biscuits brown, brown.
Only tune I ever learned was
Bile 'em cabbage down.
Verses 1
June bug he has wings of gold,
the firefly wings of flame.
Bedbug's got no wings at all but
he gets there just the same.
Verse 2
Love it is a killing fit,
When beauty hits a blossom.
And if you want you're finger bit
Just poke it at a possum.
The Andy Carlson Band,
with Michael Smith on
mandolin, Keith Morris on
bass and Denison’s own
Casey Cook on guitar,
welcomed fiddler Bobby
Hicks to the stage.
Dr. Carlson told how he
used to listen to Bobby
Hick’s records to copy his
fiddling “licks”. What fun it
was to watch the two of
them play together!
Verse 3
Raccoon and the possum,
Rackin' cross the prairie.
Raccoon ask the possum,
Did she want to marry?
Students and Parents Learn
from a Master Teacher
by Lisa Kelleher
Students were not the only ones to benefit from January’s Suzuki
Piano Workshop featuring Mary Craig Powell. Parents came away
with lots of good tips to help their kids practice and make it fun. The
workshops, held over two days in Burke Hall on the Denison
University campus, attracted piano players of all levels. Mrs. Powell
dealt with each student individually, giving praise where due and
helping to improve the fundamentals such as posture and hand
position, and the details including dynamics and tone. Four students
took part in each hour-long class, with 15 minutes devoted to each
student individually. While a student worked with Ms. Powell directly,
the others sat and listened and learned even more.
Parents came away with great tips to help their students enjoy playing every day. Ms. Powell always received smiles from the
players, and as the practice partners watched, they learned how to engage their kids and explain things in a way they were more likely
to understand. For example, while playing Ecossaise, Mrs. Powell explained the dynamics by describing the louder parts of the music
as the time when the parents were dancing. When the music got softer, the children took over. Analogies such as this were especially
helpful for parents of younger players. Mary George, mother of four-year-old Gavin, attended two master classes with her son.
“Ms. Powell provided great insight when she pointed out several focus areas where Gavin could improve not only the song he chose to
play for her, but also his playing in general,” she said.
Students pictured left to right: Lienne Pyzik, Margo MacDonald, Oliver Church, Gavin George, and Amy Delano
Page 3 of 4
Flutes in the
Frost
by Linda Habig
A total of 20 flutists gathered,
fluted, and drummed, at Burke
Hall on Jan. 4 and 5 for the first
Denison University Suzuki
Program flute festival, “Flutes in
the Frost”. About half the group
were students enrolled in the
Denison University Suzuki
Program, while the remaining
came from surrounding areas in
Granville, Heath, Newark,
Pataskala, and Alexandria.
Carole Ann Yeazell, pictured here
leading the group, teaches Suzuki
flute in Cincinnati and has taught
in flute workshops in several
states, was the guest teacher.
Carole Ann studied in Japan with Tokio Takahashi, the
founder of the Suzuki flute method under Dr. Suzuki’s
guidance. She led group classes for all flutists attending,
and master classes for many of the students.
Repertoire that was played in the master classes ranged
from pre-Book 1 “Cinnamon Buns”, through a high
school student playing the first movement of the
Boccherini Concerto for Flute. One of Carole Ann’s
points in working with students was “spitting” the tune
without the flute in order to get a faster air stream,
resulting in a more resonant sound. By “spitting” the
tune, a student strives to hear the sound of friction
resulting from air rushing over the lips. Carole Ann also
worked with students on angle and placement of
headjoints, and many other components of sound
production.
Terrence Karn and flutists Penny Hunter, Catherine Gross,
Erica Gross, Kate Guiney, Zoe Guiney
Group classes were entertaining, and provided a friendly largegroup ensemble experience for all. Much Suzuki repertoire
was played, including Bach and von Gluck Minuets, and many
folk songs from Book 1. Everyone loved the musical games,
and especially the chain of all flutists each playing the left hand
of their own flute and the right hand of their neighbor’s flute.
A major high point of the entire weekend was the movement
and percussion classes taught by Terrence Karn, resident
musician of the Denison University Dance Department.
Students played exciting and challenging rhythms on exotic
drums of all sizes and shapes, including Djembie, Ashiko,
Conga, Quinto, Tumba, Doumbek, Darabuka, Tabla, and
Dirbek drums.
Another high point that many students have continued to talk
since the festival was the recital. Students were intrigued by
the huge size and gorgeous and unusual sounds of the bass
flute, played by Lalita Williams, a Denison University senior.
Many students also commented on the lively and beautiful
music created by Leslie Maaser, of the Denison University
music faculty, as she played piccolo, alto flute, and the
standard flute. The Sweet Silver Flute Trio also played music
that combined 3 varieties of flutes, the piccolo, bass flute, and
standard C flute.
Late Saturday afternoon when the festival ended, flutists
happily felt that they had learned a lot, played in a large
ensemble (many for the first time) during group classes, had
fun expanding their rhythm awareness, heard all kinds of
interesting flute music, and generally played in the frost with a
bunch of friendly flute pals.
‘
a publication
of the
Denison University
Suzuki Program
Practicing What We Teach:
Teachers’ Experiences in Continuing Education
Teacher Training at Ithaca College
Our Mission…
…to create a
positive musical
among
faculty, students,
and their
parents/practice
partners
by following
the philosophical
principles and
educational
methods
developed
by
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
so that children
can grow into
loving
and
respectful
individuals
who will have
a positive effect
on their world.
about our program,
please contact:
Jim Van Reeth,
Program Director
Phone:
(740) 975-4644
E-Mail:
[email protected]
I’ve taken all my Suzuki piano training with Mary Craig Powell, most of my violin teacher
training at the Capital Suzuki Institute in Columbus and a couple of courses at the
American Suzuki Institute in Wisconsin. This past summer, I thought it was time to go
somewhere new. I thought about going to the Chicago Institute, but I was born near
Chicago and also went through high school there, so the area wasn’t very new to me.
Some of my Suzuki friends were getting back together at the Colorado Institute, but it
was the same week as the Capital Institute, where I would be teaching. I had heard good
things about the Institute at Ithaca College and, having never been to that part of New
York, I thought going there would be an adventure.
The seven hour drive all alone in my husband’s 5-speed was just plain fun. I spent the
week before on iTunes downloading all my favorite music for the CD player and I had a
week’s worth of Diet Coke and snacks. Singing at the top of my lungs and stopping
whenever I felt like it -- it doesn’t get any better than that!
The scenery along I-86 was spectacular. The interstate was carved around and through
the mountains and even went through an Indian reservation. I would have loved to take
the time to stop at the Corning Glass museum or the Soaring Museum. The area around
Corning is very popular among sail plane pilots but I was disappointed that I didn’t see
any flying.
The town of Ithaca is in a valley but Ithaca College is situated right on the side of a
mountain. It felt like it was uphill to everything! My dorm room was on the lower side of
the campus and was air-conditioned with a private bath. The campus center was halfway
up the mountain and contained the dining hall and a food court with TV’s. The food court
was never open, but they let us hang out at the tables and watch the Weather Channel
when the thunderstorms rolled in.
The library was further up the hill and was my favorite place to go after class. I had a
great time with the friendly families gathered around the computers playing Webkinz.
Some of the kids even brought their pets along –I, too, had brought my dappled frog with
me. We Suzuki kids were all pretty successful at the “piano player” job at the
employment office! (I’m “wart88” if you’d like to add me to your friends list!)
Yes, I really went there for teacher training. ! I enjoyed meeting the other teachers in
my class. We ended up having all our meals together in the dining hall so we could
continue our discussions. I was also grateful to meet another Suzuki parent/teacher who
chose to learn the violin as an adult. As in so many teacher training courses, it was the
trainer who really made the trip worthwhile. Ed Sprunger, who wrote Helping Parents
Practice, asked us in the beginning what we wanted to learn and how he could help us
and we spent the whole week covering those topics. It was also fun to observe him teach
and sometimes have one of those “Hey! I do that, too!” moments.
Being at an Institute without my kids felt really weird. I was adopted by a family, though,
and the parents even offered to let me take their son to his master class. He was really
excited about the last Harry Potter book and I suspect his parents were tired of hearing
about it!
There’s an interesting sense of community at an Institute that one doesn’t find in the real
world. I think the closest we come to it is on group class days at Denison. I have always
felt comfortable letting one of my kids go with another family to master class or let one
stay in a class until I could get back from picking up another one. It’s that shared
philosophy that we’re nurturing our kids to be noble human beings and we’re doing it by
example. I hope you get to experience an Institute this coming summer.
January 2008
Volume œ
3, Issue 5
This Is the Year to Attend an Institute!
New Years
Resolutions:
practice differently
listen carefully
review abundantly
enjoy parenting
learn something new
join the SAA
attend an institute
The faculty and staff of the Denison University Suzuki Program really want you and
your family to attend a Suzuki institute this summer. We believe that there are so
many benefits to being surrounded by other Suzuki families and loving, highly trained
Suzuki teachers. There’s so much to learn from master class lessons, group classes,
enrichment classes, and dorm life. Plus, the area around the institute may be perfect
for an extended vacation.
Where can we go? There are SAA approved institutes all across the country. One
may be near the grandparents or an old friend from college so that you could
combine the trip with vacation.
How much does it cost? It varies, but most institutes cost between $300 and $400
per student plus room and board.
What are the benefits? Spending time with other Suzuki families, having one goal for
improvement during the week, insights from other Suzuki teachers, new ideas,
affirming old ones, boosting confidence, making new friends, and more.
When can we sign up? Most institutes post their information and registration on line
beginning in February.
Ask your teacher for more details!
SAA Parent Membership
Suzuki parents should consider membership in the Suzuki Association of the Americas
as Associate members. This relatively inexpensive membership ($32) offers
opportunities and resources that will significantly enhance your experience as Suzuki
parents.
Piano Workshop
January 12 and 13,
2008
Fiddle Workshop
January 26 and
February 1,
2008
Tuning Workshop
February 9
10:15 – 11 a.m.
Burke Alcove
Please see your teacher
for registration
information.
Benefits include:
•
A subscription (free to all members) to the American Suzuki Journal, official
publication of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. The journal contains many
helpful articles for parents.
•
Access to important information about workshops and events that are featured in the
American Suzuki Journal.
•
Access to books, pamphlets, videos, etc. that provide valuable information about
Suzuki Talent Education and your role as parents.
•
The opportunity to attend bi-annual SAA national conferences that feature an entire
day devoted to parents’ challenges and issues. Videos of past Parent Days are
available from the SAA Resource Catalog. Students may also participate in these
conferences by auditioning for the Suzuki student orchestras and masterclasses.
Information about these conferences is available in the SAA Journal and on the
Suzuki Association web site: www.suzukiassociation.org
•
The opportunity to support an organization that enables your teacher to continue her
education by providing annual teacher training workshops.
•
The opportunity to be part of something larger than merely your home studio. To
become connected with a world-wide family parents, teachers and supporters of
Suzuki Talent Education
Please consider becoming a member of this worthwhile organization.
Spring 2008
Program Recitals:
•February 10•
•March 16•
•May 4•
Sundays
3 p.m.
Burke Recital Hall
one program recital
per academic year.
Space is limited,
so please speak
with your teacher
Overheard by
Santa
on
Christmas
Morning:
Student:
“It’s a Suzuki CD!”
Mom:
“Yes, but for what
instrument?”
Student: “Piano?”
Mom:
“No, look at the
letters.”
Student:
“IT’S FOR THE
VIOLIN!! DOES
THIS MEAN I GET
LESSONS, TOO??”
(Yes, he starts this
week!)
Have your piano tuned!
Page 2 of 4
Fitting Instruments
I believe that how you hold the violin is
more important at first than what you
play on it. If the violin doesn’t fit, if it
doesn’t sit on the shoulder, if the left and
right hands aren’t trained well, the sound
is not going to be the best one you can
make.
When your children outgrow their
clothes, take a look at their violin.
Needing a bigger violin usually happens
around the same time. I start noticing
that my students need bigger violins
when I see a 90 degree angle or less at
the elbow. If posture is great and the left
hand is behaving the way we want it to,
then I start making little hints like, “Are
you planning a trip to Columbus soon?”
or “Will you be going near The Loft in the
next month or so?” It’s not crucial to
have a larger violin instantly, unless the
one you have is broken or won’t stay in
tune. You have plenty of time to decide
on a price range and do some
investigating.
After helping my three kids grow up with
violins, I’ve learned a few things. First,
the teacher knows your child better than
the violin store, so take your teacher’s
advice. Second, it’s so much fun for you
and your child if you make getting a
bigger violin a special occasion. Ask
Jen, Jim, or David at The Loft if your
child could try out a few different violins
in the same size and let your child pick
the one that he likes the best. If they
aren’t busy, they are very happy to do
this. Ask if you can take the choices
upstairs to the violin room. Take the
time to let your child play them and then
you play them or ask someone to play
them for him. (Don’t worry, they’ll only let
him try the ones in your price range!)
Third, rent or buy the best violin you can
afford. This is an investment that may or
may not return a monetary profit, but it
will return a profit in your child’s music
education if the violin sounds great,
responds easily, and is in tune.
Similarly, I believe that how you sit at the
piano is more important at first than how
you play it. Pianos aren’t fitted to
students, but students do need to be fitted
to their home piano. The correct height for
sitting at the piano is when the forearm is
in line with the tops of the keys and
parallel to the floor. If your student isn’t
sitting high enough, you can purchase an
adjustable bench or use carpet squares or
a firm cushion. The pianist should sit on
the front half of the bench and the feet
should be on the floor. A sturdy box or a
foot stool can be used to fill up the space
if the legs aren’t long enough. There are a
couple of adjustable foot stools available
on the internet and you can even find
plans to make one if you’re handy.
Tuning your piano every six months is the
best thing you can do for your piano
student. I really mean every six months.
It costs between $50 and $100 and is an
investment in your child’s musical ear.
Please, please, please don’t put this off.
Playing a piano that is out of tune is very
frustrating because the intervals between
notes don’t match the intervals your child
hears on the CD. It will undo all the good
listening if the piano is out of tune.
There is much debate over whether a
piano student should have a “real”
acoustic piano at home or if a “keyboard”
or electronic instrument will work just as
well. There are valid arguments on both
sides. The response of an acoustic piano
has almost successfully been duplicated
by higher end digital pianos, but there are
still some differences in the touch that
make teachers prefer the acoustic.
Denison Suzuki teachers Jacquelin
McCarroll and Caryl Palmer prefer that
their students start out with an acoustic
piano and I accept students with
keyboards with the hopes that the family
will eventually acquire an acoustic piano.
We all agree that a student who plays on
an acoustic piano that hasn’t been
serviced in 20 years is probably better off
with a keyboard!
“Neither a lofty
degree of
intelligence
nor imagination
nor both together
go to the
making
of genius.
Love, love, love,
that is
the soul of
genius.”
--W. A. Mozart
Page 3 of 4
A Fitting Flute
by Linda Habig
Flutes come in 3 sizes, so that even small students as young as 3 years old can play
comfortably, happily and successfully. The “grownup” flute is 26 inches long, and
requires a reach of the right and left hands that’s usually easy by the time a child is
about 8 or 9 years old.
Smaller flutes are equipped with a curved headjoint, which allows a shorter reach of the
arms. The smallest and easiest to hold flute, just 15 inches long, has a curved
headjoint, key extensions that make fingerings easier for tiny hands, and a reduced
range of notes. This flute is generally the best choice for 3, 4 and 5-year-old children.
Another choice for young students, generally in the 5, 6, and 7-year-old range, is a flute
that comes with both a curved headjoint and regular straight headjoint. With the curved
headjoint, this flute measures 20 inches long, and has all the keywork and range of a
regular flute. As a child grows and their arms lengthen, they can move easily from the
curved headjoint to the straight headjoint.
An artist’s
sphere
of
influence
is
the world.
--C. M. von
Weber
At what growth point is a child ready to “graduate” from the curved headjoint flute to the
straight headjoint? One easy way for a teacher or parent to figure this out is as follows:
Have the child hold the curved headjoint flute in playing position. Then have the child
move her right hand down to the very end of the flute and hold her fingers there as if
playing. Next, check the angle of the right elbow; if the angle is a right angle (about 90
degrees), the child is ready to move to the larger flute. The goal is to always have the
child playing an instrument on which the hands, especially the right hand, reach for the
flute as a natural extension of the arm, without unnatural twisting and contortion. That’s
how beautiful music is created, happily and comfortably!
Denison Suzuki Student Wins Talent Show
You have brains
in your head,
You have feet in
your shoes,
You can steer
yourself
In any direction
you choose.
--Dr, Seuss
Richard Kirsh won the first place prize at the “Pink
Flamingo Fandango” talent show New Years Eve at
Jersey Baptist Church. His unconventional performance
of La Folia by Corelli included the use of his electric
violin and his brother’s “wah” pedal. Richard began his
performance standing on his amplifier with extensive
lighting effects flashing in the background. After a few of
the variations, he stepped down from the amplifier and
used the “wah” pedal on the slowest portion of the piece,
distorting the lovely melody to heavy metal proportions.
The crowd went wild.
At the end of the piece, he stomped on a violin that was once played by the
snowman in the front of The Loft Violin Shop.
The three judges found lots of positive things to say. With a nod to American
Idol, the “bad” judge told him he had heard monkeys play better. Richard said,
“Me, too,” and said later that he was reminded at that moment of all the little kids
in group who could play better than he could!
Richard’s favorite part was collecting his prize and finally ordering his Xbox 360
and Halo 3.
Denison University
Suzuki Program
Profile of a
Suzuki Student
Jeannie Gavin,
Piano
Age 20
Our Mission…
…to create a
positive musical
among
faculty, students,
and their
parents/practice
partners
by following
the philosophical
principles and
educational
methods
developed
by
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
so that children
can grow into
loving
and
respectful
individuals
who will have
a positive effect
on their world.
The Gavin Family started with the Suzuki program at Denison eighteen years ago
when Jeannie’s older brother, Sam, began lessons with Caryl Palmer at age four.
When Jeannie turned ten, her pediatrician told her parents that despite Jeannie’s
learning disabilities and neuromuscular disorder, she had beautiful “piano hands” and
that playing would help strengthen them. She has continued to memorize all her
songs and is currently in book three. Jeannie’s favorite Suzuki piece is “Theme” by
Beethoven and her goal is to get to book seven! Her dad learned to play by
attending Mrs. Palmer’s lessons along with Jeannie, Sam, and younger sister Laura.
Jeannie and her dad share a love of the piano together.
Since graduating from Newark High, Jeannie has been obtaining clerical training
through C-TEC’s Adult Education program and does volunteer clerical work at her
church. She is seeking employment using her skills in data entry, copying, filing, and
typing. All her years of piano have helped her have fast fingers; she can type up to
50 words per minute! She is actively looking for an employer in the area who needs
a good office worker.
Jeannie’s other interests include working out with the WMCA gymnastics team,
singing in the choir at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Granville, and helping out
with church youth group activities. She is also a member of the Newark-Granville
chapter of a scouting organization for teens and young adults called “Venture Crew”.
Her other passion beside the piano is horseback riding, which she has done for eight
years at Equine Assisted Therapy in Centerburg, Ohio. Her favorite food is pizza, her
favorite musician is Michael W. Smith, and she loves to go bowling and bicycling with
friends.
New Years Reading Resolution
about our program,
please contact:
Start the New Year out by reading –or re-reading one of these great
books for Suzuki parents:
• Nurtured by Love by Shinichi Suzuki
Jim Van Reeth,
Program Director
• To Learn with Love - A Companion for Suzuki Parents by William
and Constance Starr
Phone:
(740) 975-4644
• They Are Rarely Too Young... and Never Too Old to Twinkle by Kay
Collier Stone
E-Mail:
[email protected]
• Helping Parents Practice: Ideas for Making It Easier by Edmund
Sprunger
December 2007
Volume 3, Issue 4
Workshops in January:
An Opportunity to Learn Something New
“Flutes in the Frost”
Flute Workshop
January 4 and 5,
2008
Piano Workshop
January 12 and 13,
2008
Fiddle Workshop
January 26 and
February 1,
2008
Please see your teacher
for registration
information.
The first-ever flute festival in the Denison University Suzuki Program is fast
approaching, and all student flutists are urged to register for this fun-filled learning
experience! The festival, “Flutes in the Frost”, will be held Friday evening and all
day Saturday, January 4 and 5, at Burke Hall on the Denison campus.
The guest teacher for the festival is Carole Ann Yeazell, a Suzuki flute instructor
based in Cincinnati. Carole Ann has studied in Japan with Toshio Takahashi, the
founder of the Suzuki flute method, and also has taught at institutes and workshops
around the country. Students will have individual instruction in master classes with
Carole Ann, and she’ll also lead group classes in repertoire and technique.
Terrence Karn, Resident Musician for the Denison Dance Department, will lead
fun and active classes in percussion and movement. A short flute recital will be
performed by Dr. Leslie Maaser of the Denison Music Department, and other
flutists. This intriguing recital will showcase some interesting and exotic flutes,
including the tiny piccolo, an alto flute, and a huge bass flute. Sweet Silver Flute
Trio, of which Linda Habig is a member, will also perform.
It will be a wonderful day for flutists to play with and learn from each other, and to
have a whole lot of fun with the many varied activities planned. So let it snow, or
let it be “frosty”!
Suzuki Piano Workshop
Spring 2008
Program Recitals:
•February 10•
•March 16•
•May 4•
Sundays
3 p.m.
Burke Recital Hall
one program recital
per academic year.
Space is limited,
so please speak
with your teacher
Featuring
Mary Craig Powell
We are excited to offer again this year to our piano
families the opportunity to participate in masterclasses with
Mary Craig Powell on Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13, 2008. Ms.
Powell is our teacher trainer, mentor, and friend. She maintains a local studio,
teaches at institutes around the country, and serves on the International Suzuki
Piano Committee that just recently met in Columbus.
Each student that participates in the workshop will be assigned to a 50 minute
masterclass. During the masterclass, students will perform a polished piece for
Ms. Powell and all the students, parents, and teachers will learn from her
invaluable guidance and encouragement.
Although only piano students may register to play for Ms. Powell, we want to
invite any of our Denison Suzuki parents and teachers to join us in observing her
teaching techniques and her calm, gentle way with children.
Suzuki at the Denison
University Bluegrass Festival
Dr. Andy Carlson is offering two special bluegrass
workshops geared to area Suzuki string students on
Saturday, January 26 and Friday, February 1, 2008.
These workshops are offered in conjunction with the
Denison Bluegrass Festival.
During the Festival, the Denison Department of Music
presents concerts and clinics featuring Grammy awardwinning fiddler Bobby Hicks, legendary guitarist David
Grier, the SteelDrivers from Nashville, and Dr. Carlson,
who is a champion fiddler. The featured musicians and
the Andy Carlson Band, from Atlanta, will share the Burke
Recital Hall stage for two shows – Friday, February 1,
2008 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 8:00
p.m. Both concerts are free and open to the public.
Suzuki students who participate in at least one of the
offered workshops will be invited to perform on Friday,
February 1, immediately prior to the concert featuring
Bobby Hicks. Teachers and students will soon be
receiving music to prepare for this performance.
Check with your teacher for registration information.
Profile of a Suzuki Student:
Oliver Church
Oliver Church has been a Suzuki
piano student for 11 years. He is 17
years old and is a junior at Newark High
School.
Oliver is attending college classes at
OSU-Newark. His courses there are
psychology and math. His favorite
subject is pre-calculus.
He practices one hour daily and has developed skills to play
Liszt, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff.
He enjoys listening to different artists performing the pieces
he is studying and how they interpret the pieces. Oliver enjoys
trying some of the interpretations he hears and adapting them
to his playing.
He said that the study of music has increased his memory
in every area and has produced higher math skills for him.
The funniest thing that has happened to Oliver while
practicing was breaking fingernails.
If you would like your child’s profile to be included in future issues,
please give the information to your teacher or send it to
[email protected]
Page 2 of 4
Profile of a Suzuki Student: Emma Feil
Emma Feil has studied Suzuki piano for 13 years with Caryl
Palmer. She is 17 years old and is a senior at Granville High
School.
Emma participates in the ski club at school and her favorite
subject is conceptual physics. Her favorite food is pasta and
her favorite movie is “Pirates of the Caribbean”.
She likes to improvise on the piano and is glad she can play
more difficult music after all her years of study.
Emma plans to go into elementary education in college.
The funniest thing that happened to her was that she
sneezed while practicing and never stopped playing!
Lienne Pyzik
Lienne Pyzik has been a Suzuki piano
student for eight years. She is 13 years old
th
and is in the 8 grade.
Other activities for Lienne are playing
Suzuki viola as well as viola in the Granville Middle School’s
string program. She also plays flute in the middle school’s band
program and marching band. She participates in the steel drum
band, Karate, chess, Math Counts, and Girl Scouts. Her favorite
subject in school is math.
Lienne manages to practice 30 to 45 minutes daily despite her
busy schedule.
The funniest thing that has happened to her was falling asleep
while practicing the piano.
She likes being able to read music now, which enables her to
play neat songs. She is proud of herself for sticking with piano
lessons and being able to perform difficult pieces.
Margo MacDonald
Margo MacDonald has been
studying Suzuki piano for six
years. She is 12 years old and in
th
the 6 grade.
Her extra activities are Girl Scouts, lego robotics, and the
swim team. She plays cello and drums in school.
Margo likes cool songs and performing at recitals and the
Christmas Walking Tour. Practicing songs she doesn’t like is her
least favorite thing about studying piano. Her favorite piece is
The Wild Rider by Robert Schumann.
The funniest thing that happened to Margo was when her
nose dripped while playing at the workshop last year with Mary
Craig Powell.
Language Arts is her favorite subject and her favorite movie is
The Illusionist. Her favorite food is Swedish fish.
Margo wants to be a medical doctor when she grows up and
her goal now is to always do well in school.
Page 3 of 4
Musical Rules at Home and in Life
by Robert Schumann
'The Musical Rules of Home and in Life' were written by composer Robert Schumann to accompany his famous piano book
'Album für die Jugend' (Album for the Young), and athough they were found with the original manuscript, they were only
included in the second edition. “The Happy Farmer” and “Wild Rider” are two pieces in our Suzuki books that come from this
collection. The Rules are an interesting document, not only providing an insight into the character of Schumann himself, but
also into composition and life in general. – J. McCarroll
Aural training is the most important thing. Try right from the start
to recognise keys and notes. A bell, a window-pane, a cuckoo learn the sounds they make.
If you have done your daily musical work and feel tired, then do not
force yourself to go on working. It is better to rest than work without
pleasure and enthusiasm.
You should be diligent in playing scales and other fingerexercises. There are, however, many people who think they can
achieve everything by spending many hours a day, right into their
old age, doing mechanical practice. That is almost like everyday
trying to say the A B C as fast as possible, getting faster and
faster. Put your time to better use.
If you pass a church and hear the organ playing, go inside and
listen. If you are fortunate enough to be allowed onto the organist's
bench, then put your little fingers on the keys and be astonished at
the mighty power or Music.
The so-called 'dummy keyboard' has been invented. Try it for a
while, and you will see it has no effect. The dumb cannot teach
you how to speak.
Keep strict time when you are playing! The playing of some
virtuosos sounds like a drunkard walking. Such people should not
be copied.
Learn early on the basic rules of harmony.
Do not be frightened by words like Theory, Thoroughbass,
Counterpoint etc. They can be your friends if you approach them
in a friendly manner.
Never just strum. Put your mind to it when you play, and do not
stop half-way through a piece!
Dragging the tempo and hurrying are both bad mistakes.
Take care to play easier pieces well and beautifully: that is better
than a mediocre performance of a difficult piece.
Never play an instrument that needs tuning.
You must not only know your pieces with your fingers, you must
also be able to hum them away from the piano. Train you
imagination so that you can remember not just the melody of a
composition, but also the harmony that goes with it.
Make efforts, even if your voice is not a good one, to sing at sight
without the help of the instrument; in this way the sharpness of
your hearing will continually improve. If you have a beautiful
voice, waste no opportunity to have it trained, and treat it as the
finest gift Heaven can bestow on you!
You must reach the stage when you can understand music by
just seeing it on the page.
When you are playing, do not concern yourself with who may be
listening.
Always play as though a Great Master were listening.
Children are not made into healthy people by eating sweets, cakes
and icing. Spiritual food, like food for the body, must be plain and
wholesome. The latter has been amply provided by the Great
Masters; keep to it.
Brilliant passage work fades with time. Technical accomplishment
is only of value where it serves a higher purpose.
You must not promote bad compositions; on the contrary, you
should expend every effort to help suppress them.
You should not play bad compositions, neither should you listen to
them, unless you are forced to.
Regarding which pieces you should choose to study, ask your
elders. This way you will save a lot of time.
You must acquire a thorough knowledge of all the important works
by all the great masters.
Do not miss opportunity to make music with other musicians, in
Duos, Trios etc. This makes you playing fluent and animated. Also,
accompany singers often.
If everyone wanted to play first violin, then there would be no
orchestras. Each musicians should therefore appreciate his proper
place.
Love your instrument, but do not be so vain as to think it is unique
and the most important. Remember that there are others which are
equally beautiful. Remember also that there are singers who give
expression to the highest things in music for choir and orchestra.
When you get older, occupy yourself more with scores than with
virtuosos.
Among your friends, seek out those who know more than you.
As a relief from your musical studies, read a lot of poetry. Go out for
a walk often.
The study of the history of music, together with hearing actual
performances of masterpieces from different periods, is the
quickest cure for complacency and vanity.
What, then, does being musical mean? You are not musical if you gaze anxiously at the notes and labour your way through to
If you have done your daily musical work and feel tired, then do
the end of the piece. You are not, if somebody who is turning for you turns two pages instead of one, and you stop and cannot
not force yourself to go on working. It is better to rest than work
go on. You are musical, however, when in a new piece of music you can feel what might be coming, or in a familiar one, you
without
pleasure
already
knowand
- inenthusiasm.
other words when you have music not just in your fingers, but in your head and in your heart.
Do not play, when you are older, pieces which are in fashion.
Time is precious. You would need a hundred lives just to get to
know all the good pieces in existence.
Denison University
Suzuki Program
Chicago Suzuki Institute and other Summer Reflections
By Kaitlin Moore
Our Mission…
…to create a
positive musical
among
faculty, students,
and their
parents/practice
partners
by following
the philosophical
principles and
educational
methods
developed
by
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
so that children
can grow into
loving
and
respectful
individuals
who will have
a positive effect
on their world.
about our program,
please contact:
Jim Van Reeth,
Program Director
Phone:
(740) 975-4644
E-Mail:
[email protected]
This past summer I spent a week at the Chicago Suzuki Institute in Deerfield,
Illinois. Although I hadn’t been there in three years, I arrived to see familiar smiling
faces. The Chicago Suzuki Institute offers camp and teacher training in violin, viola,
cello, and piano, as well as advanced chamber groups. This institute is top notch
for furthering studies and receiving teacher training.
I was first introduced to the Suzuki method while in college, and a professor of
mine insisted that the Chicago Suzuki Institute was the “heaven” of all institutes for
cellists. After getting my teacher training in books one and two there, I swore I
wouldn’t go anywhere else. Suzuki teachers from all over the world gather in
th
Chicago over the July 4 weekend every year, and celebrate the love of beautiful
music and noble human beings. It was at my first teacher training that I met
Barbara Wampner, who in 1976, graduated from the Talent Education Institute in
Matsumoto, Japan.
Each year that I have gone back to the institute I have enjoyed finding familiar
faces in teachers, colleagues, and students. This past summer I was able to
observe students that I had first met three years ago. Time goes by so quickly! I
was amazed at their musical journey through the years, and my own as well. While
at teacher training I spent quite a bit of my spare time observing other books. I
have always considered myself a life long learner, and I love getting new ideas for
teaching students.
I encourage all students to attend Suzuki Camps, and give the Chicago Suzuki
Institute a try. I promise you will not be disappointed! If your time there is like mine,
you will want to continue to go back every year, and become the best person you
can be!
In addition to my continued training in Chicago, I also started taking piano
lessons with our own Mrs. Kirsh this summer. Oh, to be a student again! I had
taken college group piano (which I did not do well in), and had a keyboard that had
been collecting dust. Although every time someone told me to sell it I couldn’t! I
talked with Mrs. Kirsh about my fears and hopes for learning the piano. I wanted to
get use out of the infamous keyboard, but more importantly I wanted to be able to
accompany my students on recitals. Can you guess what I first started playing?
Yes, if you said “Mississippi Hot Dog,” you are correct! (except Mrs. Kirsh calls it
“Mississippi Hop Frog”!)
With practice over the summer and lessons, I brought myself back to being a
student. I began to realize the hardships and great memories of being a student,
and that affected how I was with my own students. I found myself wanting and
trying to skip over that really hard piece (Yes cello family, I know you are laughing
at French Folk Song!), but then somehow learning to play a more difficult piece
very quickly that I liked.
I felt so nervous for every piano lesson, even though I felt so comfortable with
my friend of about six years! I enjoyed how positive my lessons were, even if I
didn’t do that great. Although I thought piano would be very different, I found that
our teaching style was similar. It was because of Mrs. Kirsh that I was able to
accompany my students on the second recital of this year. My students did a great
job helping me to calm down, take a deep breath, and just make beautiful music.
This past summer was a journey of hope for me, not only in training, but in
taking piano lessons. I encourage all of you to attend Suzuki Institutes (Chicago!!)
and also take up an instrument. Like Dr. Suzuki said, “You never too old, and rarely
too young to Twinkle!!”
November 2007
Volume 3, Issue 3
Suzuki Talent
Education
“Talent Education
is education
toward life.”
--Shinichi Suzuki
There will be an
Saturday,
November 10
9:15 a.m. -11 a.m.
in the Burke Hall of
Music and Arts
Rehearsal Room
for those
interested in
learning about
Suzuki Talent
Education
and observing the
Denison University
Suzuki Program
Please contact:
Jim Van Reeth
(740) 975-4644
[email protected]
Program Recitals:
•November 11•
•December 9•
Candlelight
Walking Tour
Encore Performance
and
Chamber Concert
Sundays
3 p.m.
Burke Recital Hall
Each student is invited to
perform in at least one
program recital per
academic year. Space is
limited, so please speak
with your teacher about this
opportunity.
“Please help me teach you.”
What’s Really Behind the Bow
The beginning bow at the start of a lesson has great significance in the Suzuki
philosophy. Rooted in ancient Japanese culture, it is a form of greeting and
respect. For our application, it signals the start of the lesson –a time to learn, to be
aware, and to anticipate great things.
It is also a statement of intent. All sides of the Suzuki triangle: student, parent, and
teacher intend to learn.
It is also full of expectations:
The teacher expects appropriate respect and behavior.
The student expects kindness and understanding.
The teacher expects cooperation.
The parent expects instructions.
They all expect laughter and fun.
Do you bow at your lessons?
Nicholas Hawkins, Age 11, violin
DSR: How long have you been playing
the violin?
Nick: 4 years
DSR: What do you like best about the
violin?
Nick: Playing the really fast parts.
DSR: What do you like the least?
Nick: Vibrato exercises.
DSR: What is your favorite Suzuki piece?
Nick: Gigue from Book 5 even though I
can’t play it yet.
DSR: Do you play any other instruments?
Nick: No, but I sing in the choir at school.
DSR: What is your favorite subject in
school?
Nick: Social Studies and Science.
DSR: Do you participate in any other out
of school activities?
Nick: I play soccer, tennis and baseball
DSR: What is you favorite movie?
Nick: Nausicaa, a Japanese animated
film.
DSR: What is your favorite food?
Nick: Pho, a Vietnamese rice noodle
soup.
DSR: What do you want to be when you
grow up?
Nick: A professional soccer player.
DSR: Name one goal you have for
yourself.
Nick: To run a six minute mile.
If you would like your child’s profile to be included in future issues,
please give the information to your teacher or send it to
[email protected]
“A young child’s heart
is tender
and receptive
and parents’ attitudes
toward child-rearing
have permanent effects
on the child’s mind.
It is for this reason that
parents’ efforts
during early childhood
are most consequential.”
--Shigeki Tanaka
Our Mission…
…to create a
positive musical
among
faculty, students,
and their
parents/practice
partners
by following
the philosophical
principles and
educational
methods
developed
by
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
so that children
can grow into
loving
and
respectful
individuals
who will have
a positive effect
on their world.
about our program,
please contact:
Jim Van Reeth,
Program Director
Phone:
(740) 975-4644
E-Mail:
[email protected]
Page 2 of 2
Spooky Suzuki Harvest Festival 2007
Spooky Suzuki Harvest Festival was spectacular fun for all thanks to our
wonderful teachers, generous and creative volunteers, and enthusiastic kids.
Our teachers led us in group games that were enjoyable and challenging and
our students came dressed in wonderful costumes eager to participate. The
event was made possible by the kind efforts of our bighearted volunteers.
A big THANK YOU to Suzanne and Scott Casey, who cooked up the gross
station, Suzanne Baker and Maryanne Kirsh creatively guided the cookie
decorating (so there would be chocolate icing for everyone), Jason and Carrie
Mihalick , together with Tucker and Cora Mihalick, created the Spooky Abyss,
Richard Kirsh and Maryfrances Kirsh tormented the kids with donuts on a string
while Caryl Palmer was tormented with putting donuts ON the string, Alex
Stanislav (a.k.a. Zeke Yoder) led the corn hole game, Amy Mock and Chingchu Hu created outstanding artwork on many faces, and Patch Wetzel, Robin
Brown, Joy Carlson, Shannon Segreto and Bobbi Noe offered time and
patience with set up and other general tasks.
We’ll do it again in ’09! You can view pictures of the fun in the photo gallery at
www.denison.edu/suzuki.
October 2007
Volume 3, Issue 2
Suzuki Talent
Education
There will be an
Saturday,
November 10
9:15 a.m. -11 a.m.
in the Burke Hall of
Music and Arts
Rehearsal Room
for those
interested in
learning about
Suzuki Talent
Education
and observing the
Denison University
Suzuki Program
Please contact:
Jim Van Reeth
(740) 975-4644
[email protected]
“By helping our
children
learn
to be
self-disciplined,
we are also
helping them
learn
how to become
independent
of us
as,
sooner or later,
they must.
And we are
helping them
learn
how to be
loving parents
to children
of their own.”
--Fred Rogers
American Suzuki Institute Experiences
By Kyle and Tyler Otterstedt
KYLE: This summer I went to Stevens Point, WI for the American Suzuki Institute. Mr.
Jim asked me to write about what I did there. My favorite part of it was the talent
show. It was so funny! First, one of the instructors did funny sound effects on his violin
(I wish I could learn how to do some of them!). Other acts were by students singing,
doing karate demonstrations, all kinds of things. My favorite act was Harry Potter's
Puppet Pals. Barry Bonds as a Suzuki guitar student was pretty funny, too.
In the afternoon, Suzuki families could use the Univ. of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
indoor swimming pool. It was awesome! This pool was huge and had the highest
diving board I have ever seen. I jumped off over and over (until my mom made me
stop!).
In my masterclass I met Robert from Chicago. He and I had every class together so
we got to be friends. I had ice cream every day in the dining hall. It was great! I will go
again sometime.
TYLER: There is so much I could say about ASI. There's the food, classes, dorms
but probably my most favorite thing is the people. It's amazing to meet kids from all
over the globe that can challenge you to play your best. It’s extraordinary to see
people in first grade playing the Vivaldi Concertos. It's also amazing to see people
from California and Japan or even some from Stevens Point. All the teachers also can
be fun and exciting and can help you greatly. The friendships you make there are
unbreakable. I think it's more fun to be challenged by kids all over the country.
Another fun thing is all the recreation that is at Stevens Point. There is a swimming
pool, baseball and football fields and a basketball gym. It's so much fun! Also, there
are recitals and talent shows that can be really funny. I would totally recommend ASI
as the greatest institute ever!
International Suzuki Piano Committee
Visits Columbus
Seven Suzuki piano teachers and SAA representatives from five countries met in
Columbus in September to prepare the latest edition of the Suzuki piano repertoire.
They had three main goals for the weekend. First, they wanted to change some
fingerings that have been puzzling us for years. Second, they wanted to return some
pieces to the way the composers had originally intended them to be played. Third, they
wanted to add some more contemporary pieces to the books. These changes had to
be made while honoring the history and purpose of the Suzuki philosophy and also
representing the wishes of Suzuki piano teachers all over the world. It was no small
task.
The weekend went smoothly thanks to a number of local Suzuki piano teachers who
provided transportation, meals, entertainment, and a little peace and quiet at the end of
the long days. One of our program’s parents came to the rescue when the
representative from Australia arrived but her luggage, and her blood pressure
medication, did not. This parent, a pharmacist, did a little research on the U.S.
equivalent and was quick to offer a few days of medication until the luggage arrived.
Her efforts alone made the teacher feel better.
It was fun to sneak into the meeting to fix coffee or prepare a snack and listen in on
their discussions. There were no flying objects or raised voices among these great
educators; just friendly voices and kind words. And just like ordinary parents, at the
end of the day the discussion turned to how to get their kids to practice!
Page 2 of 4
Program Recitals:
Rosin Basics
•October 14•
by Jim Hostetter
The Loft Violin Shop
•November 11•
•December 9•
Candlelight
Walking Tour
Encore Performance
and
Chamber Concert
Sundays
3 p.m.
Burke Recital Hall
Each student is invited to
perform in at least one
program recital per
academic year. Space is
limited, so please speak
with your teacher about this
opportunity.
The Kirsh-McCarroll
Piano Group Classes
discussed two
composers in
September:
Wolfgang Mozart was born
in Austria in 1756 and
composed his first Miunet
when he was around five
years old. He said,
“Composing is not very
difficult for me. I simply
copy down the music as it
is in my head.”
Johann Hummel was born
in Pressburg in 1778 and
began playing the violin
and piano when he was
around 6 years old.
Mozart was impressed
with his playing and invited
Hummel to be his student.
Do you know any pieces
by Mozart and Hummel?*
Rosin, known as colophon to luthiers, or
makers of stringed instruments, is made
from treated pine sap or resin. Resins
from over 110 different pine trees from
four different continents can be used to
make rosin.
There are different colors of rosins.
Resin that is generally harvested in the
late winter or early spring makes a light
amber colored rosin. This rosin tends to
be harder and used for the higher
stringed instruments. Resin that is
generally harvested in the summer or fall
makes a dark and sometimes almost
black rosin. This rosin tends to be softer
and is preferred for use by the lower
stringed instruments.
•“Jade” is the only green rosin on the
market and does not use any metallic
additives.
•Gold rosin actually has real gold in the
resin mixture. It is supposed to produce
a warm, clear tone.
•Rosin with silver in its mixture tends to
produce a concentrated, bright tone that
reacts well when higher positions are
commonly played.
•Lead-Silver rosin is slightly softer than
other rosins. It tends to promote a clear
and warm tone.
•Copper is one of the most common
additives to rosin and can be used to aid
beginners’ tone production as it helps to
produce a warm, soft tone.
There is no difference between rosins for
violin, viola, or cello. The players of
those instruments generally prefer rosins
of the hardness (or softness) best suited
for their particular instrument.
Rosin for the bass should not be used by
any other instrument. It is MUCH softer
than other rosins and if it is not cared for
properly, it can melt in the heat!
Remember to always treat your rosin
with great care as it is very fragile. It is
not necessary to scratch the surface of
the rosin to “get it started”. Apply rosin to
your bow every day in the way that your
teacher prefers. Rosin makes the bow
hairs sticky and helps them to pull on the
string to produce sound. Touching the
rosin, bow hair, or the strings near the
bridge with fingers lessens the ability of
the rosin to stick to the hair.
Regular dustings of the rosin dust from
your instrument with a soft cloth will help
to preserve its finish because rosin sticks
to that, too. Too much rosin built up on
the strings can affect the sound. Wiping
the strings with a soft cloth will help to
prevent this build up.
Ultimately, rosin choice is an issue of
personal preference. The additives and
colorings used in rosins will all combine
to make each rosin brand feel unique.
The rosin that comes with rental
instruments from The Loft is selected
with students in mind. If you have
questions about your rosin, ask your
teacher or come see us at The Loft.
Editor’s note: When I first started playing the
violin, I noticed that I felt like I had a cold
every time I played. After learning more
about rosin, I realized that being allergic to
pine trees had something to do with my cold
symptoms. The Loft suggested I switch to a
rosin with less dust and the symptoms went
away. MFK
If you have any comments or suggestions about the website,
please email Mary Hawkins at [email protected]
Page 3 of 4
Suzuki Summers
Spooky
Suzuki
Harvest
Celebration
October 27
2-4 p.m.
… a biannual tradition of
costumes, games, music, and
fun…
Parent volunteers
are needed,
so please see your teacher!
We’re also
looking for a
“corn hole game board”
and bean bags.
(And if you have
no idea what a
“ corn hole game board” is, be
sure to come to
Spooky Suzuki
to find out! ! )
by Mary Hawkins
Greetings
from Jim
program
I love Suzuki
summers because
theVan Reeth,
California
thisdirector
past year. Another
days and nights are so much more
highlight for me is the contra dance and
relaxed than during the school year. For
lobster bake held on a hill overlooking
most kids, there is no school (no
the lake. The students who participated
homework, no tests) during the summer
in the fiddle class during the week
and not as many organized sports or
provided the music and the rest of us
other extra-curricular activities that
learned the steps needed to participate
require time and attention and create a
in a contra dance after feasting on
jam packed schedule for families with
lobsters, mussels and corn on the cob.
multiple siblings. We have found
Everyone was sad when the week was
summers are a great time to make some
over and a few kids started circulating
real progress on our instruments.
the idea that the institute be extended
next year to allow more time for
In the beginning of the summer, my
recreational activities and more time to
children (Nick age 10 & Paul age 8) and
prepare for final performances.
I attended the New England Suzuki
Although the costs of lodging and meals
Institute (NESI) for a week. The institute
can be expensive at summer institutes,
is held at St. Josephs College, a small
we talked with many families that were
school on the shores of Lake Sebago
camping nearby and I even saw an RV
about 20 miles West of Portland, Maine.
in the parking lot with a young Suzuki
We all loved this institute for various
student practicing inside. There are
reasons. Nick and Paul loved it
many creative ways to make a summer
because of the activities available at the
institute work for your family.
college when you are not in class or
practicing your instrument. You can
Another highlight of our Suzuki summer
swim, fish or go boating in the lake (I
in Maine was the opportunity afforded
noticed many families brought kayaks or
my kids to perform (and get paid for it!)
canoes), use the indoor pool and
in the courtyard of a gourmet food store
climbing wall, play soccer on a big field
during the lunch hour on a sunny
and ride bikes or scooters around the
Saturday in August. The shop owner, a
campus. They also enjoyed having their
Suzuki mom, wanted to highlight young
own key to our dorm suite (which we
musicians in the area as well as teach
shared with a family of pianists from
youngsters about business. Nick and
Connecticut) and their own meal ticket
Paul signed a contract and, highly
which entitled them to some great food.
motivated by the $60 they were
They made friends quickly and I was
promised, began practicing duets and
soon abandoned in the cafeteria and left
polishing their repertoire. Nick
to make my own friends to share meals
continued to work on the fiddle music he
with.
learned at institute so he could perform
those pieces as well. They played for 2
One of the reasons I loved NESI is
! hours, had a steady and appreciative
because it is a safe environment where
audience, earned some good money
my kids can easily navigate the campus
and had as much free lemonade as they
and find their way to their classes. The
could drink!
quality of the faculty (many from the
Boston area) and enrichment courses
Now we are back to school (and
offered is another real draw for me. I
homework and tests) and sports and
also really enjoyed getting to know the
another 9 months of craziness. Many
other families we met. This institute
days, it is a struggle to fit in even a bare
attracts people from all over. There
bones practice. I can’t wait for next
were several families there from
summer!
Denison University
Suzuki Program
Flutin’ in the Mountains
by Linda Habig
Our Mission…
…to create a
positive musical
among
faculty, students,
and their
parents/practice
partners
by following
the philosophical
principles and
educational
methods
developed
by
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
so that children
can grow into
loving
and
respectful
individuals
who will have
a positive effect
on their world.
Driving through magnificent mountain vistas in August, I was excited to be heading
to Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts to “Suzuki Flute in the
Berkshires” for my Book III Teacher Training. What a gorgeous and lofty setting,
high in the mountains, at an historic, beautiful and renowned liberal arts college!
This turned out to be a magical learning and Suzuki “family” experience, with just
30 young flute students, teacher trainees and faculty. Three elements combined to
make this Institute beneficial and inspiring for me.
1. Teacher training. Observing the teacher trainers work with students in master
classes provided many great ideas for me to bring back to my students. And the
specific Book III sessions trained us in hundreds of specific points to use in
teaching techniques and pieces. For example, our trainer deconstructed how to
teach students to play pianissimo (very softly), and advised not to ask students for
this dynamic level until they reach Book III, given the embouchure challenges
involved. Another example was our teacher’s emphasis on short cadenzas in
some of the Book III pieces, and how to start our students on these free-form
sections in a musical way.
2. Personal improvement in my flute playing. Each year that I have taken teacher
training, I have been delighted with the many ideas that help me improve my
personal flute playing. For example, discussion about body position pointed out to
me that I have too much stiffness in my right arm and shoulder while playing. So
now I’m working hard to remedy that! There was also a lively discussion among
teachers about tonguing styles, and whether “forward tonguing” (tongue against the
lips) was more effective than “back tonguing” (more traditional tongue against
teeth).
about our program,
please contact:
3. Inspiration and Suzuki Family Spirit.
With a small group of students and faculty, this Institute instantly took on a warm,
family atmosphere. That was enhanced because all of us stayed in a quaint, old,
very small dorm that had been a small hotel, right on the Williams College campus.
There was no TV, no air conditioning, yet there was a charming old dining room
and big front porch where we all ate and “hung out” together. Late in the evening,
students congregated on the porch and spontaneously started playing Suzuki
songs, one after another! And one 6 year old student wandered into the dining hall
one night during dinner, with flute ready, looking for her teacher; she wanted to
learn the next 4 measures of “Long, Long, Ago” so that she could play with a newfound friend. Magical! More inspiration came from the master classes held on
the stage in historic Bernhard Hall. With old burnished wood, fabulous acoustics,
and exuding old New England, this setting inspired students and teachers alike.
Everyone who played in this venue sounded terrific.
Jim Van Reeth,
Program Director
With lots of learning, personal improvement, and inspiration, I look forward to
teacher training at a Suzuki institute every summer!
Phone:
(740) 975-4644
E-Mail:
[email protected]
*Mozart: Minuet, Piano book II and Violin Book VII,
Arietta in Piano book II, Sonatas in Piano books V-VII,
Concerti in Violin books IX and X
Hummel: Ecossaise in Piano book II
September 2007
Volume 3, Issue 1
“Suzuki
was asking
us
to show
our kids
how to work
at something
to excellence.
When the kids
know
they are
excellent
in something,
they know
what it feels like
and
nothing
can stop them!”
-- Carrie Reuning-Hummel
You are invited
to a concert
featuring
American
composers
and selected works
by
J.S. Bach
Wolfgang David,
violin
and
David Gompper,
piano
Wednesday,
September 19
8:00 p.m.
Burke Recital Hall
Notes from the Director
by Jim Van Reeth
Welcome all new and returning families! It is great to be with you on this journey of
educating young talent. If we have not had the opportunity to meet one another, please
help me meet you by introducing me to your family the next time you see me at an
event, in the Burton hallway, or any place our paths might cross. Know you can reach
me on my cell (740) 975-4644, or at [email protected] anytime.
I love the more relaxed and flexible feel of summer lessons (and the easy parking!).
But as crazy as this might sound, I really love the chaos and hubbub that accompanies
the beginning of fall semester. It is encouraging to see students, friends and
colleagues coordinating schedules, getting back in the swing of things and finding the
rhythm and beat of the new term. I feel better that I am not the only one struggling to fit
it all in, I am inspired by our ability to stick with it and work it out, and I know it is worth
the trouble.
Here is some information about the classes, activities and events coming up this
semester. Group classes get underway in mid-September and run through early
December. Check with your studio teacher so you know the time and location of your
class. Plan to arrive early enough to get settled in, and ready to work and have fun.
Many classes happen on Saturday mornings, a very, very busy time of the week.
Come dressed in your athletic gear, or art smock, if it will make transitioning between
activities easier.
Program recitals, on break since May, are back and will happen three times throughout
the fall semester. They are always on Sundays at 3:00 p.m. in Burke Recital Hall. This
semester the dates are September 16, October 14 and November 11. Start now to find
the best date for you and your teacher. Remember that you can schedule a date in the
spring if it does not work out for fall. Notice the first fall date, September 16, is here!
Please plan to attend and support your fellow musicians.
The fall semester is rich with special events. October 27 is our Spooky Suzuki-Harvest
Celebration. It will begin with group class from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and move along
with games, snacks and other fun that will end at 4:00 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to
come in costume! Please let your studio teacher know if you can you help. We are
looking for parent volunteers from each studio to help plan and throw this party.
Be on the lookout for information about other special events, including our violin tuning
workshop, the 2007 Granville Christmas Candlelight Walking Tour, and the Fall
Goodwill Ambassadors Tour in a future issue of the DSR and posted on the bulletin
rd
boards on the 3 floor of Burton Hall.
Over the summer I had the privilege to hear one of my Suzuki mentors, Patricia
D’Ercole, give a talk. She reaffirmed that Dr. Suzuki believed young children can be
educated most effectively if they have parents who are involved, and provide a
stimulating environment. Being involved and providing this stimulating environment
keeps us incredibly busy. I applaud you for finding the time, effort and energy to work
closely with your family. It is great having you in our program. I hope you are enjoying
the new term so far. I look forward to seeing you around. Keep up the good work!
Page 2
Notes from the Administrator
by Mary Hawkins
Program Recitals:
•September 16•
•October 14•
•November 11•
•December 9•
Candlelight
Walking Tour
Encore Performance
and
Chamber Concert
Sundays
3 p.m.
Burke Recital Hall
Expectation
or
Vision?
“We expect
that our job
at home
with our children
is to be
creative
practice partners
and pull them
along with us.
When we switch
the focus
to a vision
for our children,
our job
becomes
to simply provide
the possibility
that they could
own their own
music.”
--Carrie ReuningHummel
After an amazing year in Maine and overseas, I am happy to return to the Denison
University Suzuki Program as the Program Administrator. I look forward to seeing many
familiar Suzuki faces in the coming weeks and meeting the new families who joined the
program in the past year.
During my family’s year away, we continued our involvement with the Suzuki method in
Maine and other parts of the world. Throughout the fall, spring and summer, my children
continued weekly private violin lessons and biweekly group lessons with a wonderful
Suzuki teacher (and her very musical dog), and I took Suzuki cello lessons from her
mother. After much debate, we decided to bring the violins with us as we traveled to
Australia, New Zealand and Asia for 4 months during the winter. We were able to review
Suzuki pieces most days, met an Australian waitress who was a former Suzuki student
and managed to replace an A string that had unraveled at a Chinese mall in Singapore.
Most importantly, when we returned to Maine, our kids were able to pick up their Suzuki
studies right where they left off instead of spending a month or more trying to get back up
to speed.
As the Program Administrator, I serve as the liaison between the Suzuki Program and
Denison University, particularly the Provost and Accounting Offices. I am responsible for
establishing and monitoring monthly and annual budgets, overseeing the registration
process, and encouraging the communication of Dr. Suzuki’s teachings and philosophies
among families, faculty and the surrounding community.
We do our best every year to not raise fees so that as many families as possible can
participate in our program. However, we do operate on a break even budget and
periodically need to raise fees to cover the costs of our growing program. The most
substantial increase in fees this year is for participation in our chamber music program
offered to our advanced students. As many of you know, the time and coaching involved
in chamber music has greatly expanded in the past few years. Please do not hesitate to
contact me if you have any questions or concerns about fees. Also, please remember
that all fees need to be paid in full each semester or we will not be able to re-enroll
students for subsequent semesters.
Please be accurate and prompt when filling out the student information forms and term
agreements given to you by your teacher. Please also check the yes box if you can after
the question about being included in the Suzuki Directory. We would like to have this
directory be as complete as possible but will respect your desire not to be included if you
so choose. Also, please read the Program Policies sheet provided by your teacher.
Although it may look similar to what you may have received in the past, it contains a lot of
important new information.
As you may have noticed, parking is more difficult this fall because of the closing of
College Street. Andy Carlson, the Chairman of the Music Department, is working with
the college to try to create some parking spaces on College Street during the evening
and weekend hours. He is also trying to create a loading zone in front of the building for
people to drop off larger instruments. There is more information about alternative parking
options in the Program Policies sheet. Please plan to arrive early to your lesson in case
you need to walk several blocks to Burton Hall.
Finally, Denison has completed a revamp of University websites. As soon as I complete
the required training, I will take over the responsibility of maintaining the Suzuki website
so we can keep it up to date and accurate. We also hope to be able to use it to provide
last minute details about special events. I will let you know when the updates are
completed.
I look forward to a wonderful year with the Denison University Suzuki Program. Please
contact me if you have any questions or suggestions about the program.
Denison University
Suzuki Program
Our Mission…
…to create a
positive musical
among
faculty, students,
and their
parents/practice
partners
by following
the philosophical
principles and
educational
methods
developed
by
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
so that children
can grow into
loving
and
respectful
individuals
who will have
a positive effect
on their world.
Reviewing Review at the American Suzuki Institute
by Robin Brown
I was very fortunate to spend a week in
August at Stevens Point, Wisconsin at the
American Suzuki Institute. I took Violin
Book III teacher training from Edmund
Sprunger (who wrote Helping Parents
Practice). I also observed master and
group classes and listen to wonderful
students and teachers in recitals.
Mr. Jim and Rebecca White (who will be
teaching group lessons this year with the
Denison Suzuki Program) were on the
faculty. Kyle, and Tyler Otterstedt and
their mom, Marsha, also attended the
Insittute.
I especially enjoyed some of the
presentations for parents given by
accomplished Suzuki teachers. One of the
presentations was "Review, Repetition,
Refinement." Below are some of the
highlights about REVIEW from handouts
provided by these teachers that were
especially interesting and useful.
Purpose of Review
•To maintain an old skill/technique
•To strengthen a present skill
•To prepare for learning a new skill
•To develop musical expression
•To play old pieces in a new way
•To maintain your foundation (like building
a house, each piece depends upon the
next piece)
Recommended (Ideal)
Weekly Review Plan
about our program,
please contact:
Jim Van Reeth,
Program Director
Phone:
(740) 975-4644
E-Mail:
[email protected]
•Book I/early Book II students: Play all
your pieces at every practice
•Mid Book II students: Rotate Book I
pieces (half the book every day) and all
•Book II pieces daily
•Book III students: Rotate Book I and
•Book II; all Book III daily
•Book IV and above students: Follow the 7
day rotating review chart (see your
teacher for this chart)
Other Possible Structures
for Review:
•Rotating Review Chart (5 or 7 day
chart; play all pieces you know over the
course of a week)
•Fish Bowl Review (write names of all
pieces on paper & put in a bowl;
randomly pick certain # for review)
•Two List Review (make 2 lists: pieces
that can be played well (1) and pieces
that need work (2). Play list 1
pieces every day. Choose one piece
from list 2 to work on every day until it
moves to the first list.
•Teacher Assigned Review
How to Incorporate Review
into Daily Practice
It is important to have a specific goal in
mind when reviewing to avoid mindless
repetition. Focus on a specific technique
or teaching point for each review piece
so it has a constructive result.
Depending on the age of your child,
involve him/her in figuring out what this
focus will be (e.g., dynamics, bigger
bow, etc.).
Result of Review
•Refinement of skills
•Dramatic increase in level of playing
•Ability to learn new pieces more easily
and quickly (80/20 rule; 80% of new
pieces are old skills, 20% are new skills)
•Those students who keep up their
review excel at their instrument
•Expansion of one's memory
•Greater concentration
•Confidence
•Have a piece to play at any time, any
day
•Enables students from across the world
to play together and share their music
“The more we can be concrete with students, the better. The information we
give should be as easy to use as an iPod.”
--Ed Sprunger
Group Class Dates, Schedules, and Locations
Violin
Spooky Suzuki
Harvest
September 15 and 29
October 13 and 27*
November 10 and 17
November 30* and December 1*
Celebration
Class Schedule
October 27
2-4 p.m.
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Bach Double to Book X
with Dr. Carlson in Herrick Hall
… a biannual tradition of
costumes, games, music,
and fun…
9:00 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.
Late Book II – Seitz Concertos
with Mrs. White and Miss Robin
in Burke Recital Hall
Parent volunteers
are needed,
so please see your teacher!
Performance:
Saturday,
December 1
Rehearsals:
November 17
and
November 30
Piano
Kirsh and McCarroll Studios
September 15 and 29
October 13 and 27*
November 10 and 17
Class Schedule
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Mozart Group
in Burton 201
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Hummel Group
in Burton 201
Clementi Group
In Burton 203/301
Mid-Book I – with Mrs. Kirsh
in Burke Rehearsal Room
9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Books I-IV combined
Piano
Palmer Studio
In Burton 201
10:20 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Pretwinkle with Mrs. White
in the Burke Lobby
September 14 and 28
October 12 and 26
October 27*
November 9
December 7
Early Book I with Mr. Jim
Granville
Christmas
Candlelight
Walking Tour
Page 3
Late Book I/Early II with Miss Robin
in Burke Rehearsal Room
Flute
15 to furthering
Program! I alsoSeptember
look forward
October
6
and
my own education by 13taking Suzuki
October
27*
teacher training
courses
at Capital
November
10
and17
University and other Suzuki
Institutes so I
November
30* for
andmusical
December
1*
can bring
new ideas
training
to
the students. Class Schedule
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.
Allegro Group
Class Schedule
2:30 to 3:15 -- 4 year olds
th
th
3:15 to 4:05 – 8 – 12 graders
th
th
4:05 to 4:55 – 6 and 7 graders
th
4:55 to 5:45 – 5 graders
rd
5:45 to 6:35 – 3 graders
Cello
September 15 and 29
October 6 and 27*
November 10 and 17
9:40 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Fireflies Group
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Cinnamon Buns Group
10:55 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
Adult Class
in Burton 14
*These dates will have special times and locations.
We’ll have that information for you closer to the events.
Class Schedule
8:15-8:45
Pre-Twinkle
8:45-9:15
Twinkles and Early Book I
9:15-9:45
Middle book I- Early Book II
9:45-10:15
Book II and up
in Burton 306

2007-2008 - Suzuki Program

Transcription

Similar documents

sau family article.pub

Photo : SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R

Read - Suzuki Ad Planner

ICON 1000

Photo : INTRUDER M1800R

Chromed Chopper In The Custom-Cruiser Class

intruder m800 - Global Suzuki

GSX-R1000 - Suzuki Motorcycles